1863 10C Ten Cents, Judd-325, Pollock-390, Low R.6, PR63
NGC. The obverse depicts an ornamental shield with an inverted
laurel wreath suspended from a ring. A pair of crossed arrows is
behind the shield, with EXCHANGED FOR U.S. NOTES around the
perimeter. The reverse has 10 CENTS 1863 in the center, with *
POSTAGE CURRENCY * ACT JULY 1862 around. Struck in silver with a
plain edge. James B. Longacre designed this pattern in May, 1863.
At that time, three weight variants were struck of the plain edge
silver Postage Currency patterns. No silver pieces of this design
are known to have a reeded edge. A combined total of 43 coins at 20
grains and the 22.5 grains were struck to demonstrate the physical
properties of two versions of a very thin ten cent silver coin. One
plain edge, nearly pure silver fantasy piece was struck weighing
38.3 grains.
This is a brilliant example that has deeply reflective fields on
each side. Lightly hairlined with numerous die striations. Several
peripheral die cracks are seen on both obverse and reverse, and
there are a couple of angling streaks of granularity below
EXCHANGED. (PCGS# 60482)